FIFA, CAF to punish Nigeria after stadium invasion by irate fans

Nigeria is facing sanctions from FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after fans invaded the Moshood Abiola Stadium pitch following the 1-1 draw with Ghana on Tuesday, March 29.

The result ultimately meant the Super Eagles will miss out on the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Irate fans attacked players of both teams, officials, destroying properties and equipment in the protest.

The substitute bench was smashed and overturned by fans who called for the removal of Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“Pinnick must go! Pinnick must go!!” the mob demanded, while some criticised Eagles’ coach, Augustine Eguavoen.

The invasion left a CAF official Dr. Joseph Kabungo from Zambia dead.

The Police were forced to fire several rounds of tear gas to disperse the angry crowd.

FIFA and CAF frown at violence and crowd trouble in stadiums and might fine Nigeria or impose a stadium ban.